Prez to confer awards on Jan 22 at Vigyan Bhawan
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Jan 20: With the Government of India announcing the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) for 2024, a 12-year-old Rabab player from north Kashmir has also figured in the list of 19 children selected for the award across the country.
Ishfaq Hamid, a resident of Kreeri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, has earned his place on the list due to his display of Rabab playing skills over the last several years, during which he has performed at various platforms.
Having learned the skill of playing Rabab from his father, Abdul Hamid Bhat, who is also a professional in the field of music, Ishfaq ensured that he kept with the art, earning him recognition at a young age. This ultimately led him to win this year’s Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, among other accolades. Click here to watch video
The father-son duo is already on a journey to New Delhi, where the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will confer the award for 2024 to 19 exceptional children, including Ishfaq, during the award ceremony set to take place at Vigyan Bhawan on January 22.
“My father taught me to play Rabab, as I come from a family associated with music. In the year 2020, I gave my first performance in Pune. That was the beginning for me. I also participated in the main event of the G20 function,” he said, describing the prestigious award as enormous.
Ishfaq recalled his mother persuading his father to train him to play Rabab, noting that since childhood, he has always seen his father creating tunes out of the musical instrument. “That somehow stayed with me and ignited a spark that has kept me going so far.”
Those who know them told ‘Excelsior’ that Ishfaq is a quick learner and picked up the craft from his father in less time, becoming the focus of attention for everyone. “It is a matter of pride that he has achieved so much at a young age,” said one of his relatives.
Apart from playing Rabab, the 12-year-old also effectively plays the traditional Matka used in the folk music of Kashmir while ensuring that he continues with his studies.
The Ministry of Women & Child Development, in the citation issued, termed Ishfaq as a maestro of Rabab and Matka, recognized for his “outstanding contributions in elevating Rabab playing and promoting the rare traditional art globally.”
The award, conferred upon children in the age group of 5-18 years, includes a medal, certificate, and citation booklet, which will be conferred by the President of India.
It is noteworthy that Ishfaq has also received accolades during the 13th Kashmir festival and Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th Prakash Parv, apart from being awarded the Bhai Mardana National Award 2020 by NGO Sarhad.
Nineteen outstanding children from across the country have been selected for their accomplishments. The awardees are from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, J&K, Bihar, Telangana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Tripura, Assam, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Andhra Pradesh.
The categories include Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, and Sports.
The awardees, comprising 9 boys and 10 girls from 18 States and UTs, including 2 Aspirational Districts, are set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 23, providing them with an opportunity to share their remarkable stories and experiences. The awardees will also participate in the Republic Day parade on January 26.
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